ABOUT THE PROJECT:The site of a former drive-in, this property was acquired by the Town in 1985 for recreational purposes. For many years, the former drive-in property at 669 Route 28 was the site of a proposed marina. However, an updated financial assessment completed in 2013 indicated a marina was no longer financially viable and in April 2015 the Board of Selectmen formed the Drive-In Site Utilization Committee to investigate other opportunities for the 22-acre Town-owned property.

This Committee worked for six months conducting outreach to business and community leaders, identifying relevant policy goals and potential uses, evaluating site constraints, and conducting a survey. The survey showed the two highest-ranking policy goals were to energize Route 28 by creating a destination and to allow for open space and ecological restoration of the site. The number one proposed use of the site was a walkway along the Parkers River and Boardwalk to Seagull Beach.

The Committee ultimately recommended a phased development approach for the site with the first phase including a Riverwalk Park and Boardwalk. The concept for the proposed project is to create a pedestrian park that could include such amenities as a kayak launch, artist/food shanties, walking trails, public restrooms, parking, and a connecting Boardwalk to Seagull Beach. This park would energize Route 28 by making the property a focal point and destination for residents and visitors that also serves as an ecological restoration project that would restore the vegetated buffer along the Parkers River and protect valuable wetland resources. Future phases involving the remainder of the site are yet to be determined, but could include interim uses such as concerts and festivals, or possibly future commercial development.

This website will be updated regularly to provide current information on the project.